The Lowndes County Commission passed everything unanimously. Plus they had a proclamation about 811, two citizens spoke about datacenters, one about an alleged sinkhole, one invitation to a fair, and one talked about Southern Georgia Black Chambers.
Vice-Chair Mark Wisenbaker again presided, this time over the Regular Session.
Here are the LAKE videos of this Regular Session, with a few notes by John S. Quarterman.
See also Continue reading
Vice-Chair Mark Wisenbaker presided over the Lowndes County Commission Work Session this morning. They vote Tuesday evening at 5:30 PM.
Commissioners spent almost six minutes on 6.a. REZ-2026-15 Mardun Ventures, 6434 Lake Alapaha Blvd ~10.7ac, R-21 To E-A.
Lowndes County Commissioner Michael Smith
wondered about possible blueberries instead of pine trees.
County Planner JD Dillard said it could happen.
https://youtu.be/AqAR2FViiMY?si=tvRo3DgMwlG2h9sF
David Crawford took about five minutes to talk about Partnership Health Center as part of 9. County Manager Report.
https://youtu.be/oFi7tV2aWV8?si=5g95qOAmPo6xhGns
He talked about the number of people that they have provided services to this year. He emphasized that people come from all county commission districts. The people that they help have no insurance and are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid or any other private insurance.
![[Partnership Health Center, 2026-08-10]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2026-08-10--lcc-work-videos/2026-08-10--partnership-health-center.jpg)
Partnership Health Center, 2026-08-10
Since Lowndes County does not post video of its Work Sessions, if you weren’t there this morning at 8:30 AM, you can watch it in these LAKE videos, which are followed by a LAKE video playlist.
See also Continue reading
In the County Manager Report there is this item: David Crawford – Partnership Health Center (Work Session).
Since Lowndes County does not post video of its Work Sessions, you’ll either need to be there Monday morning at 8:30 AM, or watch it later in the LAKE videos.
This contentious rezoning will be decided after a Public Hearing: REZ-2026-15 Mardun Ventures, LLC, 6434 Lake Alapaha Blvd, ~10.7ac, R-21 to E-A, County Water & Septic.
The big dollar item I believe comes from state money, i.e., your state taxes, or is it T-SPLOST, also your taxes?
| Cost | What |
|---|---|
| $1,808,850.75 | 2026 Local Maintenance and Improvements Grant (LMIG) Local Road Assistance (LRA) Resurfacing Bids |
| $64,302.26 | Jail Skylight Replacement |
| $62,440.00 | Jail Door Locking Control System Replacement |
| $1,935,593.01 | Total |
![[Collage @ LCC Packet 2026-08-10]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2026-08-10--lcc-packet/many.jpg)
Collage @ LCC Packet 2026-08-10
Here is the agenda.
The board packet, received in response to a LAKE open records request, is on the LAKE website, with images of each page below.
For the rezoning, see also the the preceding Greater Lowndes Planning Commission (GLPC) meeting.
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Continue reading
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026, 8:30 A.M.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor
Thanks to Jason Davenport for sending a current draft of the ULDC text amendments for this evening’s Public Hearing at the Lowndes County Commission at 5:30 PM.
They are on the LAKE website in Word and PDF formats.
I’m not sure how the public is supposed to comment intelligently on these changes with about two hours to look at them, if they happen to look when I post this. The county has not posted any drafts of these text amendments.
![[Pines and pecans no longer protected: ULDC Text Amendments @ LCC 2024-11-12]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-11-12--lcc-uldc-text-amendments/many.jpg)
Pines and pecans no longer protected: ULDC Text Amendments @ LCC 2024-11-12
The big change is:
5. Replace 4.07.07 (D) with:
4.07.07(D) All pine and pecan trees, even those over 24 inches dbh, are not considered protected trees.
Everyone understands that trees falling in Hurricane Helene (and Debby and Idalia) were a big problem.
But this seems like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Continue reading
For those of us with many trees blown down, this meeting should be very useful and informative.
POST HURRICANE HELENE FORESTRY MEETING SERIES
Participants: GA Forestry Commission (GFC), UGA Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources and UGA Cooperative Extension Service
DAY DATE LOCATION ADDRESS Monday December 9 Tift County Extension Office 1468 Carpenter Rd S., Tifton, GA Tuesday December 10 4-H Center, Lake Park 6100 4-H Club Rd. Lake Park, GA Wednesday December 11 UGA Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center 8163 SR-147, Lyons, GA Thursday December 12 Augusta Library 823 Telfair St., Augusta, GA AGENDA
9:00-9:20 Registration
9:20-9:30 Welcome by County Extension Agent and GFC Forester
9:30-10:00 Hurricane Helene—Timber damage assessment — Troy Clymer and Ryan Phillips (GFC)
10:00-10:30 Forest markets and longevity — Lessons learned from Hurricane Michael — Devon Dartnell (GFC)
10:30-11:00 Assessing storm damaged stands — Dr. David Dickens or Dr. David Clabo (UGA Warnell School)
11:00-11:15 Break
11:15-11:45 Lean and uprooted pines recovery — Drs. David Dickens or David Clabo (UGA Warnell School)
11:45-12:15 Insect and diseases post hurricanes — frequent visits to pine stands — Dr. Elizabeth McCarty (UGA Warnell School)
12:15-12:45 Emergency Forestry Restoration Program (EFRP) and other programs after a declared natural disaster — Melissa Mullis (Farm Service Agency) or Ryan Phillips (GFC)
12:45-1:15 Lunch
1:15-1:45 Timber taxation and casualty losses— Dr. Yanshu Li (UGA Warnell School)
1:45-2:15 Reforestation options — Dr. David Dickens or Dr. David Clabo (UGA Warnell School)
2:15-2:45 Invasive species — ID and control options — Dr. David Clabo (UGA Warnell School) or Mark McClure (GFC)
2:45-3:30 Seedling availability updates — Arborgen, GFC, Meeks Nursery, and PRT/IFCO
3:30 Adjourn
Registration is required. Each location will only accommodate 90-100 attendees.
Dec 9 & 10 meetings – call 229-386-3298 or email salina@uga.edu
Dec 11 & 12 meetings – call 912-478-8986 or email dmiracle@uga.eduSociety of American Foresters continuing forestry education credits will be offered by meeting.
Georgia Master Timber Harvester continuing education credits will be offered by meeting.
-jsq
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Update 2024-10-17: Videos: Millage Public Hearing @ LCC 2024-10-15.
Only in the Work Session this morning, and if you weren’t there, only in these LAKE videos:
![[Collage @ LCC Regular 14 October 2024]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-10-14--lcc-work-videos/many.jpg)
Collage @ LCC Regular 14 October 2024
In regular items, County Planner JD Dillard recommended tabling the ULDC Text Amendments until stakeholders have more time to comment. He referred to the copy Commissioners had in their packet. We the taxpayers and voters do not have a copy.
He also recommended tabling 5.b. REZ-2024-15 Loch Laurel – Carroll Ulmer until the Planning Commission can review it. Which indicates that GLPC did not meet last month, even though there was no announcement that it had been cancelled.
Finance Director Stephanie Black said there would be a Millage Public Hearing at 5PM tomorrow, Tuesday, October 15, before the 5:30 PM Regular Session.
There was discussion in 7.a. Sprayfield Expansion Phase I. Continue reading
Commissioners Joyce Evans and Demarcus Marshall voted against 5.a. REZ-2024-01 Gresham Event Venue, 8415 Old Valdosta Road. Commissioner Clay Griner moved to approve with four conditions, Commissioner Scottie Orenstein seconded, and they and Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker voted for. Most of the audience left, clearly not happy.
The Lowndes County Commission at its Regular Session approved everything else unanimously. At an hour and fourteen minutes, this was among its longest meetings.
Approvals included the last-minute addition, 6.f. Intergovernmental agreement with the Hospital Authority. The hospital wants to fund expansion, in the usual way by floating bonds guaranteed by the county.
One citizen wished to be heard. Continue reading
Update 2024-03-16: Videos: Gresham Event Venue passed 3:2, surprise Hospital Authority bond agreement @ LCC Regular 2024-03-12.
The Lowndes County Commissioners talked a bit about REZ-2024-01 Gresham Event Venue in their Monday morning Work Session, as you can see in these LAKE videos.
Some of the other rezonings got some discussion. Nobody asked any questions about any of the For Consideration items.
They voted Tuesday evening; LAKE videos to come for that.
Commissioner Scottie Orenstein asked what the opposition was about. County Planner JD Dillard said “there have been a few emails”. There was a concern about traffic, but the fire marshall and county engineer felt there was adequate access to the property to support emergency vehicles. Noise has been the main concern heard.
Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker asked if the barn building existed. Answer: not yet. Might hold a larger gathering space. Could potentially house a band and keep the noise inside.
Commissioner Joyce Evans distinguished inside and outside noise. The County Planner said apparently they were trying to determine how the noise ordinance was enforced or measured. Probably it would be at the property line. The County Planner deferred to Code Enforcement or Legal, who did not comment. Chairman Bill Slaughter said there was a time the noise was supposed to go down and it was not supposed to be heard beyond the property line. He indicated they would have to set and measure noise standards. Also, before the cool-down hour
Commissioner Scottie Orenstein indicated he thought the main issue was not whether the venue needed, or would be successful, or what their finances were. He said he was trying to figure out whether the Planning Commission recommendation was based on issues such as ingress and egress and noise.
About REZ-2024-04 Clyattstone Road Subdivision, Chairman Bill Slaughter raised the issue of covenants.
Below are LAKE videos of each agenda item, with a few comments by Gretchen Quarterman, followed by a LAKE video playlist.
See also Continue reading
Update 2024-03-14: Videos: Gresham Event Venue and four other rezonings @ LCC Work 2024-03-11.
Here is the board packet for voting at 5:30 PM today by the Lowndes County Commission.
All were heard at the Lowndes County Commission Work Session yesterday morning.
![[Collage @ LCC Packet 2024-03-11]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-packet/many.jpg)
Collage @ LCC Packet 2024-03-11
As I predicted, the rezoning materials are similar to those from previous meetings.
But there is a fourteen-page Petition against Old Valdosta Road Wedding Venue, which is case REZ-2024-01 Gresham Event Venue.
Crown Real Estate Development has provided a Support Letter for Southern Gardens REZ-2024-03.
Ferrell Scruggs and Stephen Cooper have provided lot size requirements for REZ-2024-04 Clyattstone Rd Subdivision.
The quit claim and road abandonment items have maps showing where they are.
The materials for the Hall Road and Orr Road Extension items do not name Hall Road or Orr Road, so I don’t understand how they are related.
See also Continue reading
Update 2024-03-12: Packet: Petition against Gresham Event Venue and letter supporting Southern Gardens @ LCC 2024-03-11.
The two rezonings from last month are back, including the controversial Gresham Event Center. Plus three new rezonings from the Planning Commission. And five For Consideration items, three for road paving or wetlands credits for paving, plus a quit claim and a road abandonment.
All were heard at the Lowndes County Commission Work Session yesterday morning. They will be decided at the Regular Session this evening at 5:30 PM.
![[Five rezonings @ LCC 2024-03-11-12]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/many.jpg)
Five rezonings @ LCC 2024-03-11-12
Here is the agenda.
I neglected to send in an open records request for the board packet, so we don’t have that yet.
But the board materials for the first two rezonings will be similar to those from the February 12, 2024, Lowndes County Commission Meetings.
And the board materials for the rest of the rezonings will be similar to those from the February 26 Planning Commission meeting.
LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROPOSED AGENDA
WORK SESSION, MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2024, 8:30 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION, TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
327 N. Ashley Street – 2nd Floor
- Call to Order
- Invocation
- Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
- Minutes for Approval
- Public Hearing
- REZ-2024-01 Gresham Event Venue, 8415 Old Valdosta Rd., E-A to PD-R, ~10.3 acres, Well & Septic
Documents:REZ-2024-01 Gresham Event Venue, 8415 Old Valdosta Rd..pdf
- REZ-2024-02 Byrd Property, 3715 & 3725 Byrd Rd., E-A to R-1, ~7.5ac, Well & Septic
Documents:REZ-2024-02 Byrd Property, 3715 and 3725 Byrd Rd.pdf
- REZ-2024-03 Southern Gardens, 4609 Bemiss Rd. 5ac, C-G to P-D, County Utilities
Documents:REZ-2024-03 Southern Gardens, 4609 Bemiss Rd. 5ac, C-G to P-D, County Utilities -.pdf
- REZ-2024-04 Clyattstone Rd Subdivision, ~62ac, R-1 to R-10, County Utilities
- REZ-2024-05 Dasher Property, 1776 Old Clyattville Rd, ~115ac, E-A & CON to M-2 & CON, County Utilities
Documents:REZ-2024-05 Dasher Property, 1776 Old Clyattville Rd.pdf
- For Consideration
- Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Local Project Delivery Application – Hall Road
Documents:Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Local Project Delivery Application – Hall Road.pdf
- Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Local Project Delivery Application – Orr Road Extension
Documents:Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Local Project Delivery Application – Orr Road Extension.pdf
- Purchase of Wetland Credits for Coleman Road NW Paving Project
Documents:Purchase of Wetland Credits for Coleman Road NW Paving Project.pdf
- Walker Avenue Quit-Claim
Documents:Walker Avenue Quit-Claim.pdf
- Abandonment of a Portion of Race Track Road SE (CR #310)
Documents:Abandonment of a Portion of Race Track Road SE.pdf
- Reports – County Manager
- Citizens Wishing to be Heard-Please State Your Name and Address
- Adjournment
-jsq
Investigative reporting costs money, for open records requests, copying, web hosting, gasoline, and cameras, and with sufficient funds we can pay students to do further research. You can donate to LAKE today!
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![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to utilize the property as a club, lodge, meeting or event facility, primarily for weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, corporate events, community gatherings, etc., with the ability to accommodate overnight guests.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0003.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to utilize the property as a club, lodge, meeting or event facility, primarily for weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, corporate events, community gatherings, etc., with the ability to accommodate overnight guests.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to subdivide the property into conforming lots for individual residences.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0005.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to subdivide the property into conforming lots for individual residences.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to develop a 60-unit apartment complex with amenities.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0007.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to develop a 60-unit apartment complex with amenities.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to develop a 110-lot subdivision.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0009.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to develop a 110-lot subdivision.
PDF
![[GLPC recommended approval 6:0 with staff condition of minimum 0.5 acres for lots abutting Clyattstone Road.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/small/03122024Plus-0010.jpg)
GLPC recommended approval 6:0 with staff condition of minimum 0.5 acres for lots abutting Clyattstone Road.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to M-2 and CON zoning.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0011.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A to M-2 and CON zoning.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A Hall Road is on the [TIA] Constrained List to start professional engineering in June 2024. The Local Project Delivery Application starts the process by allowing Lowndes County to manage the project and procurement process at the local government level.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0013.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A Hall Road is on the [TIA] Constrained List to start professional engineering in June 2024. The Local Project Delivery Application starts the process by allowing Lowndes County to manage the project and procurement process at the local government level.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A Session Orr Road is on the Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Constrained List to start professional engineering in June 2024.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0014.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A Session Orr Road is on the Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Constrained List to start professional engineering in June 2024.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: $39,600.00 total of 2.64 wetland credits at 15,000.00 dollars per credit.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0015.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: $39,600.00 total of 2.64 wetland credits at 15,000.00 dollars per credit.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Center has requested that their portion, which is 0.115 acres, of the abandoned right of way be Quit-Claimed to them.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0016.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Center has requested that their portion, which is 0.115 acres, of the abandoned right of way be Quit-Claimed to them.
PDF
![[BUDGET IMPACT: N/A Langdale Vallotton Attorney at Law representing Southern Gateway, LLC, requests abandoning approximately 1720.50' Linear feet and begins at the intersection of Madison Highway, then west to the dead end.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0017.jpg)
BUDGET IMPACT: N/A Langdale Vallotton Attorney at Law representing Southern Gateway, LLC, requests abandoning approximately 1720.50′ Linear feet and begins at the intersection of Madison Highway, then west to the dead end.
PDF
-jsq
Investigative reporting costs money, for open records requests, copying, web hosting, gasoline, and cameras, and with sufficient funds we can pay students to do further research. You can donate to LAKE today!
http://www.l-a-k-e.org/blog/donate
![[Videos: R-21 to E-A rezoning, Jail door lock & skylight @ LCC Work, Subdivision Infrastructure & LMIG, Partnership Health Center 2026-08-10]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2026-08-10--lcc-work-videos/many.jpg)
![[Public Notice]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/gafc/2024-12-10--gafc-helene/465909444_960833289406744_8165345186344960468_n.jpg)
![[Collage @ LCC 12 March 2024]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-12--lcc-regular-videos/many.jpg)
![[Collage @ LCC 11 March 2024]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-work-videos/many.jpg)
![[5. Rezonings]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/03122024Plus-0001.jpg)
![[6. For Consideration]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/small/03122024Plus-0002.jpg)
![[GLPC recommended denial 5:3.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/small/03122024Plus-0004.jpg)
![[GLPC recommended approval 8:0.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/small/03122024Plus-0006.jpg)
![[GLPC recommended approval 5:1.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/small/03122024Plus-0008.jpg)
![[GLPC recommended approval 6:0 with staff conditions.]](http://www.l-a-k-e.org/govt/loco/2024-03-11--lcc-agenda/small/03122024Plus-0012.jpg)